ABVP rally openly mocks traffic rules in Lucknow, ban on Section 144

LUCKNOW: Scores of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members took out a rally in the city, openly flouting the traffic rules and imposition of Section 144 of CrPC.
The participating bikers were without helmet while those in four-wheelers drove without the seat belt. The rally was taken out from 1090 Crossing till ABVP district headquarters in Kaiserbagh on Friday afternoon.
The rally was taken out when prohibitory orders are in place under Section 144 of CrPC which bans assembly of more than four persons at a public place. The rally was organised to welcome the newly appointed office-bearers of ABVP. The outfit’s members wore saffron turbans and followed the motorcade of senior leaders who were in SUVs. The rally also caused traffic congestion, leading to problems for commuters.
Asked whether ABVP had taken permission for the rally, ASP (east) Suresh Chandra Rawat said the organisers had informed them in advance but did not say whether the permission was sought. However, he added, that there was no traffic jam due to the rally as it moved smoothly without stopping anywhere from the starting point till destination. Asked why no action was taken against the ABVP members for flouting traffic norms, Rawat said “they were probing the matter”.
ABVP secretary Ghanshyam Shahi also denied that Section 144 was violated. “Our rally was peaceful and did not cause inconvenience to people,” he said.